Posted on March 26, 2018 in Blog

If you are a construction worker in the Springfield area, it is important for you to understand the dangers you face on the job. Acute injuries are not the only type that happens at construction sites. The risk of developing chronic and life-threatening ailments, such as pleural effusions, mesothelioma, lung cancer, asbestosis and pleural plaques from asbestos exposure is higher for workers in the construction industry than other work sectors. 

Employers must inform their workers when there is a risk of exposure to asbestos and other toxic and hazardous chemicals and substances. They must also take measures such as implementing safety policies, practices and safety areas to minimize the risk and duration of exposure. 

The dangers of exposure 

Health complications stemming from asbestos exposure often take years to develop. Many workers are unaware they have a high risk of developing mesothelioma, which is an incurable form of cancer. The dangers of asbestos are well-documented and have led to a ban, restricting its use. Despite those measures, construction workers are still likely to encounter asbestos-containing materials when they are on the job. Consider the following information about asbestos exposure to better understand how it can change your life. 

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 Posted on March 12, 2018 in Truck Accidents

However, if a semi truck jackknifes on the road next to or in front of you, it can be impossible to ignore. It may be helpful to understand why trucks jackknife in the first place so that you can spot potentially dangerous situations and react accordingly.

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 Posted on January 29, 2018 in Blog

Riding a motorcycle is always fun–except when snow and ice get in your way. When mother nature ruins your enjoyable rides, you may feel like it is too dangerous or uncomfortable to get on your motorcycle. Fortunately, you can still ride your motorcycle safely during the winter.

You do not need to keep your motorcycle in the garage all winter, but you do need to exercise extra caution. Read on for essential winter motorcycling tips to ensure you make it to spring shiny side up.

1. Check your tires

One crucial step to avoiding a motorcycle crash in the winter is assessing your tires. Make sure your tires have enough tread. According to Forbes motorcycle tips, you should remember that cold weather means you will have less traction, simply because of the temperature. You should also check your tire pressure more often with a gauge. You may need to drop your tire pressure if the degrees keep getting lower.

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 Posted on January 29, 2018 in Blog

A workplace injury may happen at any job. You do not need to have a physically demanding occupation to suffer an injury at work. No matter how conscientious and attentive you are about being safe and healthy at work, it is possible for you to sustain an injury. 

An accident may occur at work when you least expect it. But what are the most common causes of injuries at the workplace? Here are a few causes that could put you at risk.

1. Overexertion

According to Insurance Journal, overexertion is the leading cause of workplace injuries. Strenuous tasks that cause overexertion injuries include the following:

• Lifting
• Carrying
• Pulling
• Pushing
• Throwing

These injuries are more likely to happen if you do not get an adequate break from demanding work or if you do not get assistance with heavy objects. 

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 Posted on December 06, 2017 in Blog

When winter hits Illinois, it hits hard. Driving in the snow can be treacherous, especially when you cannot see well and the roads are icy. Inclement weather conditions such as rain, sleet and snow are common contributors to auto collisions. But did you know winter car accidents are deadlier than hurricanes, tornadoes and floods?

That is right. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, weather-related car accidents cause more fatalities than those natural disasters. These accidents kill approximately 5,900 people a year. So why are these crashes so deadly? Here are some of the most common ways that winter weather can contribute to serious car accidents. 

1. Poor visibility

Heavy snowfall, blinding rain and dense fog can significantly reduce your ability to see what is in front of you. Bursts of snow and rain can negatively impact your ability to see within seconds. If other drivers fail to adjust to these conditions and speed or follow too closely, they can easily cause an accident. 

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 Posted on November 10, 2017 in Blog

With the holidays coming up, it is time to start shopping. Whether you do it early, take part in the Black Friday madness or do it last minute, it can be a stressful experience. All the crowds and stores packed full of merchandise can not only stress you out, they can also result in injuries. This is often due to the fact that management and employees are so busy that they sometimes do not inspect the stores as diligently or clean up hazards.

The last thing you want to be dealing with this holiday season is recovering from an injury; you deserve to enjoy this season with family and friends. So what are the most common holiday shopping injuries you should avoid? 

1. Slip, trip and fall

Retail stores can have slippery or obstructed floors for a variety of reasons, including:

• Floor polish or wax
• A freshly mopped floor
• Poor lighting
• Fallen merchandise

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 Posted on October 11, 2017 in Blog

Although Illinois fall weather may not reflect what most people consider to be autumn, the temperatures will soon drop here as well. Either way, autumn comes with its own road hazards you should know about to prevent an auto accident.

While some of these are applicable to any driver in the nation, some are particular to the Midwest. Beware these dangers to have a safe trip.

1. Rainy weather

Wet roads mean less traction for your tires and slick areas that make it easy to lose control of your vehicle. Slow down to ensure you have enough time to stop and make last-minute maneuvers to avoid an accident. Check if your tires have enough tread or if you need to replace them.

2. Light and darkness

The glare of the sun grows stronger this time of year. Keep sunglasses in your vehicle and keep your windshield clean. Be careful when driving at night, which also comes earlier with the season and daylight savings. Most accidents occur during dark hours, so stay alert and use your lights.

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 Posted on August 15, 2017 in Blog

If you got hurt at work or developed a condition as a result of your job, you may be entitled to workers' compensation benefits.

Unfortunately for many people, it is not enough to simply fill out all the right forms and hope for the best. Many times, workers and their attorneys have to engage in a protracted struggle to obtain necessary workers' compensation benefits. Depending on the circumstances, some cases may contain more complexity than others.

Medical coverage

The first thing you may worry about after an injury is getting the medical treatment you need. Workers' compensation benefits may include medical costs for treatments. Sometimes, employers and their insurance companies dispute the necessity for the type or extent of the treatment your doctor wants you to have. If this happens, you may need to attend an independent medical examination.

Permanent or temporary disability

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 Posted on August 03, 2017 in Blog

When you get into a car crash, you have much to worry about and deal with afterward. Motor vehicle accidents are scary enough as it is without having the responsible driver flee the scene. Unfortunately, hit-and-run accidents happen in Illinois, so you need to be prepared for what to do.

First, however, you must know what constitutes a hit-and-run. It applies to more than just when the motorist who crashed into you drives away. It also includes motorists who are underinsured, uninsured, drunk or untruthful about personal information.

What to do in a hit-and-run accident

Most of the actions you must take following a hit-and-run are the same as for any type of auto collision. These steps include the following:

•        Calling the police to report the accident
•        Getting medical treatment for any injuries
•        Photographing the accident scene

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 Posted on May 04, 2017 in Blog

The best things you can do to ensure your safety on the road are to drive carefully and to follow all traffic laws. This is especially important when sharing the road with tractor trailers, as getting into an accident with one comes with high fatality and injury rates for those in passenger vehicles.

However, your driving is only half of the equation. The other half is knowing causes of semi-truck accidents so you can watch out for and avoid dangerous situations.

1. Reckless driving

Truck drivers are usually at fault for most accidents due to reckless driving. Common unsafe practices are speeding, making illegal moves, overcompensating for errors and driving too closely to other vehicles. These behaviors increase when a trucker lacks proper training and experience or is in a rush.

2. Impairment

Sometimes reckless driving happens because the big rig driver is impaired. The source of impairment may be from:

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